Lock.



w. A. MURRAY.

LUCK.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-21.19%.

. STL l Patented FebIIQ, 19%)),

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. A. MURRAY.

LOCK.

APPucATloN FILED 11m21.191s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y an explanation of one WILLIAM ALFRED MURRAY, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

LOCK.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. i9, 1918.

Application filed December 21, 1916. Serial No. 138,173.

To aZZ/ww/m it may concer/11,

Be it known that l, Winnaar ALFRED liilUnnAr, a citizen ofthe United States, re- Isiding at Baltimore city, in the State oi' Maryland, have invented certain nenY and useful Improvements in Locks, of which the following is a specification.

rl`his invention relates to improvements in locks and more particularly to a system of locks wherein two keys are necessary to the operation of cachy lock and the. turning of one key to eiectan operation of the bolt will at the same operation ett'ectually lock said turning key in place to prevent its removal but will. cause the other key to be turned to a position Where it can be yWit-hdraivn, this latter or withdrawn key, then serving as 'the operating key for another lock in the series ot locks to be su ,cessively operated. v

While there are a number of systems in which the invention is designed to be used,

use to which the invention is particularly applicable is deemed suliicient to explain the utility.

ln the collection orf mail Yfrom street boxes, the collector traverses a given route, going successively from one box to another. Under the present system.y a single key, carried by the collector will iit and operate the lock on each box. These collections are presumed to be made at stated times and the public has the right to presume that the mail will be collected at substantially the periods stated. Y

if a collector, for any reason desires to leiter on his route or b v loitering has become late in traversing his route, there is nothing to prevent him making up iior the time lost by making short cutsv and omitting to visit some of the boxes on his route; consequently Whatever mail has been deposited in those boxes must Wait for later collection.

The Vpresent invention is designed to insure and require that every box, or every lock employed in a system of locks, be operated :in a regular or predetermined order or succession and thereby prevent the omission of any one lock in the series.

ln carrying out my invention l have designed a Yseries of locks each of which requires tivo keys for its operation. @ne key oi" a lock will be such as toserve as one of tivo keys for ai'inther lock in the series, v'viiile the other key of the same lock will serve as the second key of some other lock to eli'ect an operation of the latter lock.

To make the example a little more explicit, if there are three locks in a series, which, for the purpose of the example Will be termed locks A, B, and C, respectively, one key of lock B, will serve as one of the keys for lock A, While the other key of lock B, Willserve as one of the keys for lock but the removal of the key from lock B, to be operated in lock C, cannottake place until the key from lock A., has been inserted in lock B, and turned to release said lock B, and at the same time said key 'from lock A, will itself be locked in said lock B, and thus be prevented `from removal. rl`hus each lock will always have a key locked therein when the other key is removed from said lock, so that to operate three locks there must be four keys employed.

To therefore carry out the inventive idea involved no lock in the system can be skipped, because the key for operating one lock must be Withdrawn from the lock next before it in the system.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Wherein,-

Figure l, shows a lock in embodyingV the invention.

Fig. 2, illustrates the same with the keyinclosing caps swung to the open position.

Fig. 3, shows the interior parts of the lock, with one key locked in place and the other key being inserted,-one side Wall of the lock case being removed to show the interior parts.

Fig. 4L, u all that tits over the parts in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, shows the lock in sectional elevation,-the unlocking key being in place and the parts turned to the unlocked position in which the other key may be Withdrawn.

Fig. 6, is a cross-sectional detail through the device in the locked positionf-the section being taken on the line 66 of Fig.

Fig. 7, shovvs another Cross-sectional detail through the device, in the unlocked posinom-the section being taken on the line 7-7 or" Fig. 5..

Fig. 8, illustrates in detail a cross-section on the line 8-,8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9, another cross-section detail on the line 9--9 of Fig.

side view and illustrates the inside vievv of the Y land 30, which lit into the Fig. 10, shows a detail inv vertical section throughl tlielocln-.tlie section-` being taken` Fig. 13, shows a fragment of the lock caseV with the recess therein to receive the locking pawl operating devices.

Fig. 14., illustrates the detached operating devices for the locking pawl,-the same being shownin perspective, and

Fig. 15, shows three locks iii side view together with the keys for operatiiigthe saine.

Referring to the drawing the numerals 1G and17, designate the two halves or partsof the lock body which have' coacting oini'cgis'- tering grooves or recesses inwliich the inevable parts of the lock project or sea as in a mold. e y

When the twov halves of the body are together and considered as united, they will be provided with two'spaced-apaizt and-parallel cylindrical chambers 18 and 19, respectively,

with a cylindrical enlargement 20 and 21., at their respective inner ends and with a crosswise passage 22, at said inner end which connects said enlargements. Each cylindrical chamber 1,8. and 19, has apliirality of circular grooves, in the present instance designated 23 and 24, in the one and 25 and 26 inV the otherv chamber, asbest shownin the half bodv 16, in Fig. 4, of the drawing.

A cylinrder or barrel 27, conforms iii shape to and snugly lits the chamber 13, while another cylinder or barrel 28, accurately ts in the chamber 19. The cylinder 27, is provided with circumferential rings 29 circular grooves 23 and 24 of the body, while the cylinder 28, carries two rings 31V and 32, which fit into the circular groei-es 25 and 25, respectively. p

These iwo cylinders or barrels have enlarged heads 33 and 34, respectively at their inner ends which lit the enlargements 20 and 21, and said cylinders, under certain condi- Ytions, are free torotate in saidbody-halves,

as will Vnies-ently be more fully explained. The'li-iads- 33 and 34, of said cylinders or barrels 27 and 28, are connected bytwo linkbars 35,--each link bar :having an end pivot,-

ally connected. to a head, eccentrica-Hy, so.

that when one cylinder or barrel is givenv a partial rotation, a like movement will bel impartedA through the link-bars tothe other cylinder or barrel.

Each cylinder or barrel is provided withv a 'longitudinal key-slot 36, which extends from the outer `end t the head at the innere'ndf.-

said key-slots Vopening allfthgrway through therethrough and in a direction at right angles to the key slot, as shown best in Figs. 5 and8, ofthe drawing. Y It will he noted that the cylinders or barrels are so positioned in the body, that the key-slot 36, of one and the locking-slot 37, of the other, will face each othei when the pai-ts are in the locked position as iii Figs. 3 and 8, and that when the parts are turned to theunlocked position, as in Fig. 5, the locking-slot 37, of the one will be opposite lto or face the key-slot 36, of the other.

Between the two cylindersor barrels 27 and 28, each half of the body part 16 and 17, has a recess 38, shown in section in Figs. 8, and 10 and in` face view in -Figs. 4 and 13. Each recess has a circular portion 39, with a segmental slot 4Q, therein, and a circular plate 41, having a stop lug 42, as shown in Fig. 14, isl seated in each recess. Each circular plate 41, is provided with a hub-like projection 43, Vat one side and from said hub there extends taiigentially a lug 44. A spring 45, is wound into a plurality of coils with one end attached to the lug and hub, andthe other end of said spring extends into the upper portion of the recess 38, where it is secured by a screw 46. By means of the spring and segmental slot, each plate 4.1, is permitted a limited rotating inovenfieiit,' the leg 42, and the slot 40, serving to limit this movement.

1t will thus be understood that each body part of half of the lock carries one of the hubbed plates 41, and that the hubs of said plates project toward, but are spaced-slightly from each other, as shown in Figs. 8, and 10, of the drawings. Y A

Between the two plates 41, and interposed in the space between thek ends Vof the hubs 43, thereof, is aV locking pawl 47, which is shown iii perspective detail in Fig. 12, of the drawing. This pawl hasl a pivot pin 48, rigid therewith and extending from opposite sides thereof and one end of this pin enters the hub at one side ofthe pawl and the other end of said pin enters the hub at the other side of said pawl so that the pawl is 'inouiited to rock in the two hubs and between the latter. The pawlA also hastwo locking arms 49, and 50,*the arin 49, extending towardv y .A within the Circuler Sine@ AkfariseiV by the. @ils OfY the.

spring i5, as shown in Fig. l0, of the drawing.

By reference to Figs. 3 and 8, or the drawings, it will be noted that the arm 49, ot the locking pawl projects into the key-slot 36, of barrel or cylinder 27, while arm 50ot said pawl projectsinto the locking-slot 37, oi' the barrel or cylinder 28. When in this position neither cylinder can be turned, because the locking pawl arms by projecting in said slots prevents rotation, and the key 52, willv be locked in place and cannot be withdrawn. v

By referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that a key 53, is partly inserted in the cylinder or barrel 27, and that the arm e9, of the locking pawl projects in the key slot 36, in the path ot the inner end of the key, so that as said key is pushed into the slot, its inner end will engage said arm 4:9, and swing the pawl `trom a horizontal to an inclined position, thereby withdrawing arm et), from keylslot 36, of barrel 27, and also withdrawing arm 50, from the locking-slot 37, oi the barrel 28, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, ci? the drawing, thus releasing both barrels and permitting key 53, tobe rotated so as to turn botl bar els to the position shown in said Fig. 5. After turning the barrels to the position shown in Fig. 5, the key 52, may be withdrawn,-the. pawl, simply yielding to permit the withdrawal ot the said key, but as soon as this key 52, has been withdrawn the pawl will spring back to a cross-wise position and its arm 49, will then swing into the locking slot-36, ot the barrel 28, thereby again locking the barrels against rotation and at the same time locking key 53, in

lace so it cannot be removed.

lt will thus be understood that when one key is inserted in a barrel,-the other barrel already having a key locked therein, the last inserted key will serve to rotate both bar-l rels and unlock the key previously locked therein, but during this operation the key last inserted and by which the barrels were turned will itself be locked against withdrawal, so that one key always remains in the lock.

lt is also to be understood that of the two keys necessary to the operation et a lock, one will also lit one barrel et another locs. (in a series of locks) and the other key will tit one barrel of some other lock, but the same two keys will not tit both barrels ot any but the one lock. By this means the key, say 52, of the one lock is withdrawn after the lock has been actuated by the key and the withdrawn key 52, will then be taken to another lock and serve as one oit' two keys for operating said other lock.

lt is believed to be clear that when one barrel or cylinder 27, or 2S. is turned, both will be turned because oi the link bars 35. This partial rotation is utilized to retract 'he locking bolt and release the spring-actuated shackle with which the present 'forni of lock is provided, as will now be described.

Vihe top of the lock-body above the barrels or cylinders is provided with a crosswise recess 54e, and one end ot this recess communicates with the cylindrical enlargcment 21, in which the enlarged head Si, is provided Vwith a cam 55, which extends above the top oi' the head, and said. cani is integral with the head and turns with the' latter.

This cam, as shown best in Figs. 6 and 7, has two recess portions 56 and 57, respectively and an intermediate raised or rounded portion 5S. l

The locking bolt 59, is located and has longitudinal movement in the recess 5st, and the inner end of this bolt is provided with a pin 60, that enters a recessed head 6l, so that a coiled spring 62, may surround the pin and be retained in the recess oi said head to constantly press the locking bolt toward the locked position.

The lock shown has the i'orni or a padlock in that it has a shackle 63, which is pivoted to one of the retaining pins or rivets 6e, and its ree end is provided with a slot into which the end oi' the locking bolt enters. The tree end of the shackle also has a bea d 66, which enters a concave recess 67, in a spring actuated ejector head 68, so that when the locking bolt is withdrawn trom the slot 65, the head 68, will push the 'tree end of the shackle out automatically and free the latter,-the head 68, moving outwardly in this operation as shown in Fig. 5, and taking position in lfront ot the lockingbolt end to hold the latter retracted until the shackle-end is again pressed into enagement with the head to lock it.

The locking bolt 59, is provided on its under side with a pivoted tongue 69, whose free end is engaged and operated by the cam 55,-the two positions ot the tongue being shown respectively in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing.

y For protection to the keys against the weather, l preferably provide a cap or cover 70, which ishinged at the lower corner of the lock by a retaining rivet 71, and the. tree end of this cap is provided with catch lugs 72, which are engaged by a spring-pressed latch 78, that is pivoted to another retaining rivet 74.

The cap or cover 7 0,'has a narrow slot 75, which receives the heads of the keys and said slot extends in a direction that will only allow the locked key to pass therein,- so that the cap cannot be closed until the unlocked key is removed from the lock, and all danger oi possibly leaving the wrong key in the lock is avoided.

While in the present instance the inven Cil ` operated by the barrels for tion is illustrated in a. lock having the form of a padlock, it is to be understood that it is as readily adapted in locks of other terms. v

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is,-

l. In a lock thecombination with a bolt, of two key-receiving barrels mounted to move in the lock; connectionsbetween the )arrels to move them sinniltaneously; means actuating the bolt; two keys, and means for locking a key in one barrel and releasing the other key in its barrel wien the barrels are operated to actuate the bolt.

2. Ina lock the combination with a bolt, of two key-receiving barrels mounted to move in the look; Connections between the barrels to move them simultaneously; means operated by the barrels for actuating the bolt; two keys, and means i'or looking` the barrels against rotation when onekey is removed frein its key-receiving barrel.

8. In a lock the combination with a bolt, ot two key-receiving barrels rotatably mounted in the lock; means connecting the two barrels to rotate them simultaneously; two keys; means operated by the barrels for actuating the bolt; means for normally locking' the barrels against rotation with a key locked in one barrel and means actuated by the other key for releasing said looking means to allow the barrels to turn.

el.. In a lock the combination with a bolt, oi two key-reeeiving barrels rotatably mounted'in the lock and each barrel having a key slot and a locking slot; two keys; means operated by the barrels for actuating the bolt and means for engaging'a key slot of one barrel and a locking slot of the other barrel to prevent rotation of said barrels.

5. In a lock the combination with a bolt, of two key-receiving barrels rotatable in the lock and each barrel having a key slotand a locking slot; two keys; means operated by the barrels for actuating the bolt and a lockinfr awl ivotall mounted between e P P Y the two barrels and having one end normally engaged in the key slot of one barrel and the other end projecting into the locking slot of the other barrel.

connections between the barrels for rotating` them simultaneously; two keys; means for releasing one key` and locking the other against withdrawal when the barrels are rotated and a movable cap for covering the ends of both barrels.

S. In a lock theeombination with a bolt, of two key-receiving barrels. side-by-side; connections between the barrels for simultaneously rotating the same; two keys; means for locking one key against removal when the barrels arerotated and a cap pivotally sustained adjacent to the ends of the two barrels and having aV recess to receive the exposed end of the locked key and to cover the end of the barrel from which the key is removed.

9. VIn a lock the combination with a lockbody, of a shackle pivoted at one end of said body; a bolt for engaging said shackle; two key-receiving barrels side-byside in said body; connections between the barrels for rotating them simultaneously;means operated bv the rotation of the barrels for actuating the bolt and means for retaining a key in one barrel and releasing a key in the other barrel when the barrels are rotated.

10. In a lock the combination with a lockbody, of a shackle pivoted at one end of said body; two key-receiving barrels sideby-side in the body; connections between the barrels for rotating them simultaneously; two keys; a cap pivoted at the other end of the loclobody and movable over the ends of both barrels and means between the bar rels for locking one key in place when the barrels are rotated.`

In testimony whereof I aiiiXV my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM ALFRED MURRAY. Witnesses: v WM. TAYLOR, Jr., 'JOHN T. FABDY.

epics ofkthis patentrmay be obtained for ve cents each,` by addressing the Commissioner oi Patents, Washington, D. C. 

